Posted!

Join the Conversation

This conversation is moderated according to USA TODAY's
community rules.
Please read the rules before joining the discussion.

Five things to watch in 2015

Gazette staff
Published 4:54 p.m. ET Dec. 31, 2014

Buy Photo

Fred Straub, with the Townsend Co. based in Cincinnati, talks in June about the proposed development of Guernsey Crossing with the Chillicothe Planning Commission. The development is among five things to watch for in 2015.(Photo: Gazette file photo)Buy Photo

CHILLICOTHE – As 2014 drew to a close, it saw many of the issues and projects that made headlines the previous 12 months still unresolved and rolling into the new year.

As a result, here’s a look at five things to watch for locally as the calendar pages turn through 2015:

1. Downtown revitalization continuing

•Summary: Hopes to inject a new burst of life into downtown Chillicothe got their biggest boost since the promise of the 2007 Hyett-Palma study when Cleveland-area developer Michael Chesler announced in February his plans for The Chesler Group to renovate the building badly damaged by fire in 2003. With Adena Health System on board as the prospective tenant for the renovated structure, the first significant work on the structure commenced in 2014 and is on track for completion something in the last quarter of this year. The renovation work, and the prospect of medical students filling 32 apartments on three floors of the building, has spurred a new wave of business growth in the downtown area. Among those that opened in 2014 since the announcement has been a hair salon, consignment ship, craft store, bakery and bar, with some of the owners indicating the future of the Carlisle played a role in their decision. Expanded offerings by downtown nightlife destinations like the Majestic Theatre that started in 2014 and are expected to continue into the new year are also likely to produce an additional draw.

•What to watch for: Both the continued progress on Carlisle building work and ongoing changes in the downtown business and entertainment climate.

•Key dates this year: Sometime in the fourth quarter of this year when Carlisle work is expected to wrap up.

2. Future of city’s safety-services

•Summary: Chillicothe’s safety-service forces took it on the chin in several ways during 2014. Police Chief Roger Moore was fired in August leaving the department without a permanent leader the remainder of the year, there were several incidents that garnered unwanted attention involving officers and a failed levy in November resulted in the closure of two fire stations and elimination of five firefighter and two police officer positions. The calendar turns with several unresolved issues and a vow from the city police department to take steps to erase the stain left by 2014.

•What to watch for: First off, resolution of Moore’s appeal before the city’s Civil Service Commission, which is tentatively set to be heard by a trial board in early March. The board is being asked to determine if the city had grounds for firing Moore and whether he should be reinstated to his post. In the meantime, civil services exams to find Moore’s replacement still need to be scheduled and should be done early this year. Secondly, for a return of a safety-service income tax hike levy request, possibly as early as the May ballot. Mayor Jack Everson said he intends on returning to voters asking for the same 0.4 percent increase requested in November, but with the amount broken down into two separate requests of 0.2 percent each for safety-services and road improvements.

•Key dates this year: Feb. 4, the filing deadline for the May ballot. May 4 through 6, tentative dates set for Moore’s appeal hearing.

3. Busy year in local elections

•Summary: The 2014 election year offered area voters very little in the way of local candidate races to cast their ballots in. The year at the polls was most recognizable for struggles local entities had in currying favor for levy requests, with the Zane Trace schools and City of Chillicothe both seeing income tax levies go down to defeat. Electric and natural gas aggregation requests in Scioto Township, however, earned approval as aggregation issues started appearing before voters in a couple of area townships.

•What to watch for: A much busier election cycle, particularly in terms of deciding who will be running city government and various school boards starting in 2016. In the City of Chillicothe, Mayor Jack Everson’s position is up for re-election, as are all members of city council and Law Director Sherri Rutherford. All school boards have at least a couple of board seats on 2015 ballots, as do many townships, and several village mayor and council positions will be decided on by voters in the coming year as they once again take charge of what their elected leadership will look like in the next term. In addition, expect political jockeying on the national level to ramp up later in the year as the Democratic and Republican fields begin to take shape for the 2016 presidential campaign — always an interesting exercise when an incumbent is not in the field.

•Key dates this year: Feb. 4, the filing deadline for the May election. April 6, deadline for voter registration for the May primary. May 5, primary election day. Aug. 4, special election day if any items are submitted for a summer special election. Aug. 5, filing deadline for local questions or issues for the November ballot. Oct. 5, deadline for voter registration for the November general election. Nov. 3, general election day.

4. North Bridge Street projects

•Summary: In 2014, plans began to take shape for a new shopping center development along North Bridge Street. Guernsey Crossing, which would be located on land adjacent to the JCPenney store, is expected to contain about 100,000 square feet of retail space on 11 acres serviced by about 700 parking places. Site plans have been submitted to the city and developers late in the year requested the city establish a tax increment financing district for the development to help develop infrastructure for the project. In another North Bridge Street project, Kroger has started work on installation of a new Kroger fuel station in the parking lot in front of the store and begun interior renovation work that will include a produce market, sushi stand and floral department.

•What to watch for: Physical work getting under way on Guernsey Crossing, which already has received tenant commitments from Dick’s Sporting Goods, Panera Bread, Ulta Beauty and Petco. Completion of the Kroger fuel center and interior renovations.

•Key dates this year: No firm dates have been announced in the Guernsey Crossing project. The Kroger fuel center is nearing completion and interior renovations are expected to be done sometime in the spring.

5. Funding for new schools in Chillicothe

•Summary: After waiting for more than a decade, this could be the year the Chillicothe City School District finally receives a funding offer from the Ohio School Facilities Commission to help pay for two new elementary school buildings. In early 2014, the OSFC informed the district it was eying approval of a 51 percent local-49 percent state split to pay for the planned $43 million project. The commission’s planning queue is a fluid list that can see some projects leapfrog over others based on a variety of factors. Each year, the commission reaches out to between 30 and 35 eligible districts to see if they’re interested in a funding offer. Once a district accepts state funding, it then has to pass a levy to secure its local share.

•What to watch for: A local share levy. If Chillicothe receives a funding offer this spring, the board of education could decide to go to the voters in an August special election. If the first attempt fails, the board would have three more opportunities — November 2015, March 2016 and August 2016 — to run it before the offer expires.

•Key dates this year: April, that’s when Chillicothe school officials should know whether the OSFC plans to make a funding offer and the dollar amount they need to raise locally.